BALTIMORE, April 30, 2013 - I have the highest respect for Oriole Manager Buck Showalter. Being able to watch a baseball man with his knowledge and proven ability on a daily basis is a real treat for any baseball fan. So when I offer comments that might seem to question one of his moves, it has to be taken in that context. Baseball is the kind of sport that is made for that kind of 'sort-of-informed' second-guessing. With that statement out of the way, I believe it is time for Mr. Buck to write Nate McLouth's name on the line-up card each and every day, as he does for the Oriole's other two outfielders, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones. I also think it is time for Oriole fans to realize that with Manny Machado, the home team has a tiger by the tail.
McLouth's history has been well-documented. He came up through the Pirate's organization and made the major league roster for keeps in 2006. His best season came in 2008, when he hit 26 home runs, 46 doubles, and 4 triples in 597 at bats. He drove in 94 runs, stole 23 bases and batted .276. This is an astounding season. After 2008, and for a variety of reasons, he went into a funk. Some think it had to do with the Pirates trading him to the Braves, some think it was personal issues and believe me, in baseball, you just don't know why you stop hitting the ball like you were last week or last month or last year. McLouth hit rock bottom in 2012 when he was released by Atlanta early in the season. Dan Duquette quickly scooped him up for the Orioles and talked him into going to Norfolk and proving he could still play. Although his average was only in the .240 range, the Orioles brass saw a smart player with a great swing, a fast runner and an outstanding fielder. He was called up in midseason and proved a God-send when Nick Markakis was lost for the season in early August. McLouth won a bunch of games with clutch hits, but even more importantly, he was the perfect replacement at leadoff hitter for Markakis. Few will forget his play in the playoff series with the Yankees. There were games when only he seemed to be hitting. In the decisive game five he smashed a homer off of CC Sabathia, only to have the woeful umpiring crew call it a foul ball. Replays showed the ball nicked off the foul poll. Fans confirmed this for reporters who went to section in Yankee stadium where the incident was best seen. That lost run proved crucial later when the Orioles mounted a desperate rally in the 8th inning that came up one run short. McLouth has been even better this season. But there are days when he isn't in the line-up because Mr. Buck and the Orioles' front office want to see if Nolan Reimold can hit like he did at the beginning of last season. In the first 16 games of 2012 Reimold hit five homeruns and had six doubles. He also had ten runs batted in just 67 at bats. But after this amazing early run, Reimold's back gave out and season-ending surgery followed. Reimold is back this year and his back is better if not yet perfect. Unfortunately, his numbers are also down: in 24 games and 74 at bats he has three homers, two doubles and seven runs batted in. In past seasons Reimold has shown the ability to hit the long ball, but it seems like his concentration on hitting for power has hurt his development as an all-around hitter. In truth, last year in those sixteen games, his power numbers coupled with a .274 batting average are an aberration. McLouth, on the other hand, has seen his numbers improve in every season he played 100 games. There is every reason to believe his fast start can be carried on through the season. He is hitting .329 in 82 at bats, with two homeruns, seven doubles and eight runs batted in. He also has seven stolen basis and an astounding 15 walks. These are the kind of numbers that make teams see the making of a perfect leadoff hitter.
Manny Machado is, like Nate McLouth, off to a wonderful start. Like McLouth, he is proving the last two months of 2012 were not an aberration. He was a number one draft pick back when the lowly Orioles were getting the top picks in the draft. His minor league numbers are wonderful and his performance last season after he was brought up at the end of August and installed as the Orioles regular third baseman convinced many that he was a future star. His fielding was nothing short of sensational and reminded some veteran fans of the immortal Brooks Robinson. Brooks, for those too young to know, was the greatest fielder in the history of the game. Fans like this writer realize in retrospect that he was severely spoiled watching Brooks play on a regular basis. Only when Brooks retired did fans realize how good he really was. Well, Machado makes many of the plays that made Brooks immortal. He has a strong and accurate arm and can make some of the longest throws an infielder has to make with extreme power and breathtaking accuracy. This year, however, especially as the season has started to get a few weeks behind it, Machado's hitting has started to grab great and stunned attention. Last year in 29 games and 191 at bats, Machado batted .268 with 7 homers and 26 runs batted in. This year in just 119 at bats Machado has three homers and 17 runs batted in. Better still, his average has climbed to .311. In the last week he has crammed several multi-hit games into his repertoire. In short, this 20-year-old looks like a pro hitter with many more years of experience. He looks like someone who will be an All-Star for many years to come. With Nate McLouth leading off and Machado batting second in front of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Chris Davis, the Orioles might not need to go looking for a power hitter this winter. They might already have him, or maybe they already have two or three of him.
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